Struggling Kallis turns to Fletcher before facing Australia

JOHANNESBURG : South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has turned to former England coach Duncan Fletcher as he tries to end a batting slump before facing bitter rivals Australia in an end-of-year Test series.

Kallis averaged just 14.85 runs during the series triumph in England and his poor form continued this weekend in the national championship with the Eastern Cape Warriors.

He was bowled for just 17 and 12 as the Port Elizabeth-based franchise slipped to a 196-run loss against former champions Northern Titans Sunday in a third-round fixture.

"I think fatigue contributed a lot to the way I played in England so I called Duncan because I believe he is one of the best batting coaches in the world," Kallis told the Afrikaans-language newspaper Sondag.

Kallis's agent Dave Rundle added: "Duncan found a very big technical fault in the way Jacques is playing and I believe we will see a big difference this season."

South Africa face Kenya (ODIs) and Bangladesh (Tests, ODIs and Twenty20) during October and November before travelling to Australia.